The long-standing dispute between Bollywood star Salman Khan and the Bishnoi community dates back to 1998 when the actor, along with his ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ co-stars, allegedly hunted a blackbuck, an animal the community holds sacred.
The issue resurfaced recently following the tragic death of politician and Salman’s friend Baba Siddique in Mumbai on October 12, reportedly at the hands of Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang.Salman’s father, Salim Khan, was subsequently threatened by a stranger during his morning walk after Baba’s death (later revealed to be a prank). Salman also received a threat message from a stranger sent to the Mumbai Traffic Police, demanding Rs 5 crore to avoid being killed by the Bishnoi gang, similar to Baba Siddique’s fate.
In a recent development, Ramesh Bishnoi, a cousin of imprisoned gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, revealed that Salman attempted to settle the dispute by offering a blank cheque, which the community refused.
The ongoing controversy has divided public opinion, with some urging Salman to apologize and resolve the conflict, while others believe the actor did nothing wrong. Let’s break down the events surrounding the case.
Salim Khan said his son did not kill the Blackbuck
As many demanded Salman apologize to the Bishnoi community to end the conflict, his father, Salim Khan, clarified that his son had not killed any blackbuck and therefore no apology was necessary. In an interview with ABP News, he said: “Mafi mangna, ye accept karna hai ki maine maara hai. Salman ney kabhi kisi jaanwar ko nahi maara. Humne kabhi kisi cockroach ko bhi nahi maara. Hum inn cheezo mein believe hi nahi karte.”(“Apologizing means admitting. Salman has never killed any animal. We have never even killed a cockroach. We do not believe in such things.”)
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Mika Singh expresses support for Salman
During a recent event, singer Mika Singh voiced his strong support for Salman, calling him a brother. Known for singing hit tracks for Salman like ‘Jumme Ki Raat’ and ‘Dhinka Chika’, Mika dedicated songs to the actor, including ‘Ganpat’ from ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’. Addressing the threats against Salman, Mika said boldly: “Bhai hu main bhai, tu fikar na kar” (I am your brother; don’t worry). Fans praised Mika’s defiant stance, flooding social media with supportive messages for both the singer and Salman.
Anup Jalota urges Salman to apologize
Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota commented on the situation in an interview with ABP News, suggesting that Salman should visit the Bishnoi community’s temple and apologize, regardless of his involvement in the blackbuck case. Jalota stressed that the conflict should be resolved peacefully, setting aside personal pride and ego.
Man demands Rs 5 crore to save Salman’s life
Recently, Salman Khan received a message demanding Rs 5 crore to resolve the dispute with Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. The threat, sent via WhatsApp to the Mumbai Traffic Police control room, warned that Salman would meet the same fate as Baba Siddique if the payment wasn’t made. However, recent reports suggest that the sender has apologized, claiming the message was sent by mistake.
Somy Ali wants a zoom call with Lawrence Bishnoi
Salman’s ex-girlfriend Somy Ali stated that the actor was unaware of the Bishnoi community’s reverence for blackbucks and denied his involvement in any animal hunting. She expressed a desire to set up a Zoom call with Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently in prison, to clarify matters on Salman’s behalf. Somy also revealed that she had accompanied Salman on several hunting trips and insisted he had no reason to apologize. She told Aaj Tak that she plans to meet Lawrence in November.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s cousin claims Salman offered a cheque book
Ramesh Bishnoi, Lawrence’s cousin, recently denied reports that Salman Khan attempted to offer financial compensation to the Bishnoi community. He claimed Salman had once presented a cheque book, inviting them to fill in any amount they desired, but the community rejected the offer. In an interview with NDTV, Ramesh dismissed Salim Khan’s comments about financial motives, saying, “If we were after money, we would have accepted it.” He emphasized the community’s emotional attachment to the blackbuck case and said they felt disrespected by attempts to downplay their sentiments.
Salman’s high security and Dubai tour
Due to escalating threats, Salman Khan has been provided Y+ security, with increased police presence outside his residence, Galaxy Apartments. The Mumbai Police have also installed advanced AI-powered CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology to enhance his security. The actor is scheduled to fly to Dubai for his international show, ‘Dabangg Reloaded, on December 7.